Date set for hearing into race row involving United star Evra and Chelsea groundsman

A date has been set for the independent hearing into the race row between Manchester United defender Patrice Evra and Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell that allegedly sparked a mass brawl after the two teams had faced each other at Stamford Bridge in April.

Almost eight months after the 'Battle of the Bridge' took place, a two day hearing on December 4 and 5 has been set aside for an independent commission to rule over the case, with both Evra and Chelsea in line for potentially hefty punishments.

It was after Chelsea's 2-1 win over United on April 26 that the incident erupted and was captured by television cameras inside the stadium. United players are said to have reacted angrily when groundstaff wheeled a lawnmower on to the pitch during their warm-down, but it is United's claim that Evra was racially insulted by Bethell before their spat that has heightened the sensitivity of the case, as well as tensions between the clubs.

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Although Evra, who has denied a charge of improper conduct, is not expected to claim that he was racially abused when he is called to give evidence - arguing instead that he lost his cool because of the provocative nature of the situation - United are expected to accuse Bethell of racially insulting the France defender.

According to The Times, it is believed that United, who are likely to be represented by Maurice Watkins, the club solicitor, will allege that Evra was branded a “f***ing immigrant” by Bethell. Mike Phelan, the United assistant manager, who was overseeing the warm-down, is reported to be the source of the complaint.

Standing his ground: Chelsea groundsman Bethell has been backed by his club.

Paul Scholes, Park Ji Sung, John O'Shea and Danny Welbeck, the United players who were present during the mêlée, could also be called to give evidence along with Gary Neville, the club captain.

While Bethell is not expected to deny using insulting language, Chelsea have vehemently refuted that there was a racial aspect, issuing a statement emphasising that they would never condone racist behaviour, and they maintain that their groundsman acted in self-defence.

The FA originally brought a case against Bethell, charging him with improper conduct and the use of racially aggravated language, but at a preliminary hearing in September, an independent commission ruled that the FA did not have disciplinary jurisdiction over him because Chelsea had failed to stipulate in his contract that he was subject to the governing body's rules and regulations.

As such, the charges against Bethell were dismissed and the FA instead charged the club with failing to ensure that he conducted himself in an orderly fashion. Chelsea have also been charged with failing to include the necessary provisions in Bethell's contract. They deny all the charges.

The news came on the day when Chelsea striker Didier Drogba admitted an FA charge of violent conduct in the wake of the club's Carling Cup fourth round defeat at home to Burnley last week, when the player was pictured throwing a coin back at the away supporters moments after scoring.

An FA regulatory commission will hear the case today based on video evidence and written submissions, with Drogba, who made a single-finger gesture before hurling the missile, likely to be banned for three matches, including Chelsea's league game at home to Arsenal on Sunday week.